Last weekend was an exceptionally good one for migrating
birds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
Well over 100 species have been recorded in the past week, with one
group recording 78 species on Sunday.
Since then, there have also been a number of interesting sightings.

Several birders got a pleasant surprise yesterday when a
flock of MUTE SWANS in which a SNOW GOOSE was embedded flew past. A NORTHERN SHOVELER was in the marsh on
September 16. A RUDDY DUCK off Gull
Island on September 12 was unusual. The
first two HORNED GREBES of the season were in Popham Bay yesterday. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was heard in the
marsh. For the second week in a row, the
raptors sighted included BALD EAGLE (4 today), BROAD-WINGED HAWK (5 today), and
PEREGRINE FALCON.

Shorebirds are again attracting birders from far and wide,
not only because they can easily be seen in fairly good numbers but also
because at least two rarities were/are among them. AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were seen on three
different days. Up to three WHIMBRELS
have been on Gull Island, accompanied on one morning by a HUDSONIAN
GODWIT. That rare species was discovered
last Saturday on the beach before flying off.
Either that same bird or another was found on Gull Island two days later
and has been seen regularly by a number of birders at least up till
yesterday. Four RED KNOTS were at Owen
Point last Friday and from one to three have been seen on the beach since
then. An elusive WESTERN SANDPIPER has
made at least four appearances at Owen Point, most recently this morning. Since it generally travels in a flock of
other shorebirds, it can easily be overlooked unless seen exceptionally well,
as in the two photographs that both revealed the subtle points of
identification. One or two WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS, a few BAIRD'S and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and DUNLINS have also been
seen on several days this week. Although
gull-watching will gradually become more interesting (as well as frustrating
for some of us) in coming weeks, it is not too early to be on the lookout for
LITTLE GULLS. The latest CASPIAN TERN of
the season was seen on September 14.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS are fast disappearing, but the
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS that have been around all summer are likely to stay
throughout the year. A YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER on September 15 and a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER seen yesterday were
rather late. Two PHILADELPHIA VIREOS
were seen on Saturday and singles on several other days. Both TREE and BARN SWALLOWS were seen on
Sunday. A VEERY and a SWAINSON'S THRUSH
were the only migrant members of that family reported. Over twenty warbler species were at
Presqu'ile in the past few days. A male
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER on September 17 was both rare and late. CAPE MAY, YELLOW, and PINE WARBLERS were also
good finds. An early DARK-EYED JUNCO was
found on Monday and a SCARLET TANAGER on two different days. A PURPLE FINCH was seen on Tuesday.

To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from
Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid
that is available at the Park gate. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat
should be prepared to wade through knee-deep water (not allowing for waves) in
which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven
and slippery. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird
sightings board provided near the campground office by The Friends of
Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed
there.